A Guide to Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen brings your indoor living space outside, allowing you to cook, eat and entertain from the comfort of your patio. The best outdoor kitchens are as functional as an indoor kitchen, as welcoming as a living room, and as comfortable as a family room. And while a simple outdoor kitchen can be set up by a homeowner, it takes a bit of time and effort to plan. To help you visualize and plan your perfect outdoor kitchen, we have compiled this handy guide with a few essential tips and tricks to get you going on your dream outdoor kitchen!

Kitchen Location and Size

Outdoor kitchens come in many configurations and sizes. The location of your kitchen will play a crucial role in determining the size, shape, and number of components the kitchen can be furnished with. Some people prefer to have their outdoor kitchen connected to their house. This allows them to make use of existing structural features and also requires fewer components because you can easily run inside the house for things. Other people want to create a separate entertaining area in their outdoor living space and prefer to place their outdoor kitchen away from the home, such as by the pool. This setup requires additional features such as storage, refrigeration, sink, ice makers, beverage centers, etc. Measure the length and width of the space you’re planning to use for your outdoor kitchen. This is an important step that should be done a couple of times to ensure that your design fits into your space without any issues.

Utilizing the Space

Once you’ve determined the ideal location for your outdoor kitchen space, it’s time to consider how often you intend to use your outdoor kitchen and who you will be cooking for. If you plan to cook outdoors multiple times a week, it’s important to add elements that will expand the versatility of your cooking space. A rotisserie, pizza oven, and smoker will allow you to vary your dining experience and expand your cooking skills. With entertaining needs in mind, think about how many appliances you may want to include, along with storage requirements and added features like bar service.

Budget and Construction

Once you’ve determined the ideal location for your outdoor kitchen space, it’s time to consider how often you intend to use your outdoor kitchen and who you will be cooking for. If you plan to cook outdoors multiple times a week, it’s important to add elements that will expand the versatility of your cooking space. A rotisserie, pizza oven, and smoker will allow you to vary your dining experience and expand your cooking skills. With entertaining needs in mind, think about how many appliances you may want to include, along with storage requirements and added features like bar service.

Finishing Touches

Your outdoor kitchen will serve as a place to enjoy the outdoors while having the comforts of an indoor living space. Be sure to incorporate features that will make your space look and feel like home. Chairs, tables, specialty lighting, and decorative objects go a long way in helping add ambiance to your space, while features like a propane heater will keep guests warm and feeling right at home. When it comes to furniture, choose durable pieces with comfortable outdoor cushions. Select the largest possible table for your space so you can use it both as a buffet and a dining table. For individual seating, consider stackable chairs to help you save space during the winter months.


Ready to get started on building your dream outdoor kitchen?